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Students are petitioning to reverse a ban stopping their lollipop lady from handing out treats.

Warranwood Primary School’s crossing supervisor, Kaye Kittelty, has been handing out icy poles and hot pies to children for four years. But after a complaint from a parent she has been told by Maroondah Council she must stop the treats.

Ms Kittelty said she was “peeved off” by the red tape and was desperate to make sure the children did not miss out.

“I got a phone call from my supervisor who said I couldn’t do it anymore because someone had complained,” Ms Kittelty told Herald Sun

“It’s the principle of the thing and it makes you wonder what the world is coming to.”

Maroondah Mayor Natalie Thomas said VicRoads regulations did not allow supervisors to be distracted by any outside activities, including sharing gifts when on duty.

“A crossing supervisor … was recently reminded that when on duty they cannot be distracted by any other activities and the safety of the children is their key priority,” Cr Thomas said.

A group of Year 6 students has started a petition calling on the council to reverse the ban, with much of her loyal fan base agreeing to sign.

Cr Thomas said she was not aware of a petition or complaint over the ban, but said the council would not allow a breach of statewide regulations.

Share your comments below.

Image via Herald Sun

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  • What is this world coming to? When nice people are being told to stop being nice!!! Just because of some misguided politically minded little hitler on council.

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  • This is a sad enough world we live in without even more so called “political correctness” – what a load of hogwash, when our kids can’t even be given a treat by someone they’ve known for years. I can understand “stranger danger” but this lady has been doing her job for years now. There are some people who are born into this world just to cause trouble, and unfortunately they always seem to end up in a position of power – and you know what power does to people like that! Always remember Hitler!!!!!

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  • Don’t see how this lady isn’t being diligent. She isn’t offering lollies or treats while holding up the traffic. She is doing it before the children have the OK to cross the road. What a pity sanctions like these stop people from getting to know one another.

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  • I understand the complaints from the parents. But I can imagine it must have been quite hard on her.

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  • yeh this is a double edged sword, i get where shes coming from she was doing something nice and had been for four years, thats a long time, and im sure the kids love it, but if its the rule state wide then it must be adhered, and i dont think id want a lollypop lady giving my kids food, if i didnt know her personally.

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  • I wouldn’t want the lady giving my children icy poles or pies. The council is correct in their guidelines.

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  • Her heart is in the right place!

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  • I do have fond childhood memories of the lollypop lady giving out sweets.

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  • I tend to agree with the Council in this case, even though the lollipop lady is just trying to be nice.

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  • What a lovely gesture. It’s good to see some good happening. But I can see why parents would be concerned about it. Two sides to every story

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  • Actually, I think ths is fair enough.

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  • I can definitely see both sides of this but I think it is important to teach children not to accept candy from anyone. You hear way too many horror stories and its just not worth your child’s safety for the sake of one lollipop

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  • I can see one issue. Some people are probably concerned about children being taught not to accept food from strangers. She is a stranger to children the first time they see her. It may be the only food some kids have for the day. There are parents who don’t give their kids breakfast or lunch to take to school that probably rely on their kids having freebies. What happens to those kids. Is there any concerns re food health safety? What and where is she locating equipment to keep pies hot and icy poles cold? Some children are possiblyeither missing out or eating food they shouldn’t be because of legitimate medical diets…..It’s a touch issue.

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  • While it’s lovely that she is so kind and wants to hand out lollies etc to the kids, I agree, her concentration should be on the kids safety.

    Reply

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